On a recent outing with friends, we traveled across the wooden Quince Street Footbridge, the oldest bridge in San Diego County. From atop the bridge, we noticed a dirt trail winding through the lush canyon below. We had to venture into Maple Canyon.
Where to start. Near the intersection of Quince Street and Third Avenue, walk north towards Redwood Street and you’ll see the trailhead for Maple Canyon. The initial descent into the canyon can prove challenging. It’s not exceptionally steep, but there are some sections where footing may be unstable. You can steady yourself a bit by grabbing the nearby eucalyptus trees (more on that later). Once you reach the canyon floor, the trail is wide and primarily flat.
Keep in mind that natural surface dirt trails are best left alone for a few days after wet weather. By letting the trails dry out before hiking (or biking) on them, you help prevent trail damage and reduce erosion.
About those eucalyptus trees. Native to Australia, you may be curious why there are so many eucalyptus trees in San Diego, and why they’re simultaneously reviled and treasured in California.
The most common reason for their presence is that eucalyptus trees were planted to be used as railroad ties. The trees, however, proved too soft and flexible for this purpose, and the commercial interest faded.
Those opposed to them point out the damage to the local ecosystem done by non-native species. Those in favor highlight the habitat the trees provide for birds.
An out-and-back hike. Maple Canyon’s trail is a 1-mile out-and-back hike. The journey back towards Quince Street entails about 200 feet of climbing. If you wanted to come back a different way, you could opt to loop back on Laurel Street to Fourth Avenue. But then you’d miss the chance to see the canyon from a different viewpoint. The view of First Avenue Bridge heading north is better, in my opinion, than when you’re walking south towards West Maple Street.
About First Avenue Bridge. Built in 1931, First Avenue Bridge is a three-hinge, metal-truss bridge – the only metal-truss bridge in San Diego. It was assembled in a Midwest fabrication plant, dismantled and then shipped to San Diego. It has since been retrofitted for earthquakes.
First Avenue Bridge, as well as the Quince Street Footbridge, are part of the popular Seven Bridges Walk. This 6-mile trek includes the Park Boulevard and Cabrillo Bridges of Balboa Park, Spruce Street Suspension Bridge, Vermont and Georgia Street Bridges in Hillcrest, and the two bridges already mentioned.
You’ll hear many refer to it as an “easy” walk. I’m not sure I’d classify anything over three miles as “easy,” but I’ll let you be the judge of that! SDSun
Deanna Ratnikova is the creator of The GO Deck — grab a deck today and be inspired to Get Outdoors and GO on new adventures.
